International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2017

Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies for all

The theme for this year’s International Day is ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies for all’, with a focus on enabling conditions for the transformative changes envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Pledging to ‘leave no one behind’, the Agenda is based around the resilience of those in vulnerable situations and the reduction of their exposure to economic, social and environmental shocks, as well as disasters. Resilience is thus central to the entire Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) encourages all Member States to strengthen the role of persons with disabilities as agents of change, through the removal of barriers and the provision of equal opportunities for participation. Governments are encouraged to strengthen the resilience of society through improved infrastructure, cities and human settlements, and responses to climate-related and natural disasters, as well as inclusion through arts, music, dance and other cultural expressions.

The transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities to address their concerns and challenges through their full and active participation, together with other stakeholders, in the design, development and implementation of affordable and innovative solutions.